Law firm Covington & Burling has appointed Sebastian Vos to head up the European division of its global public policy and government affairs practice.

Vos, who was previously a partner and board member at Fipra, will join Covington & Burling in August as a partner in its Brussels office, where he will focus on competition and technology-related public policy issues.

Vos’ appointment follows the recent additions of competition partners Johan Ysewyn and Peter Camesasca to the Brussels office and is part of Covington’s commitment to further developing the firm’s top tier advisory capability in Europe.

He will lead a team that includes former ambassador Jean De Ruyt; Lisa Peets, a partner and practitioner in the firm’s EU public policy group; Wim van Velzen, a former MEP and vice-president of the EPP Group; and Paul Adamson, a senior figure in European public affairs.

Timothy Hester, chair of Covington & Burling’s management committee, said: "Sebastian will play an integral role in expanding our global presence. He brings extensive experience in the European Union and can skilfully advise clients as they navigate and manage today’s global regulatory and policy challenges. As European legislators recast priorities for the next five years, we feel our clients will particularly appreciate Sebastian’s insight, experience and vision."

Vos added: "I am delighted to be joining Covington after a number of years dedicated purely to public affairs consultancy. I believe that in an increasingly complex and regulated world, clients facing tough challenges are best served by advisers who are able to combine multiple disciplines under one roof, and can provide clients with input from both legal and government affairs perspectives."

Vos is a qualified lawyer who advises on government affairs and legislative issues and has particular expertise in advising companies in the technology, financial services, energy and transport sectors.